Hi gents.
Started the 3500 for the first time in about 7 years last week...thanks to some of the replies to my earlier posts.
Just have a slight problem...it cant be relied upon to always start.
The situation is as follows...new battery, and fuel pump reconnected (under bonnet for the present moment).
When the car first started, the first minute or so it sounded quite sick until the tappets filled with oil, and it got into it's stride.
Then it was perfect...30 psi oil pressure, smooth and quiet.
However, without warning, it just seems to go to running on what sounds like 7 cylinders...rough and no throttle response.
If i turn the ignition it starts as usual and is smooth again for about 10 seconds before it repeats the rough running.
If I let it "idle" , it will eventually (about 30 secs) splutter to a halt, with the "ignition" light showing up as it loses its ability to maintain idle (not unusual).
I started it a few more times and had this process happen again and again. I then tested the lights and it died down quicker than usual. With the lights still on, it went completely dead and would not even crank...nothing. (lights still on and interior light still on). OK...i left it for a day or two. When I returned to it, it started first go, but still did its usual no idle/rough running trick. I deliberately stayed right away from the lights, and anything that would put load on it. However, after turning it off, and then trying to restart it...nothing.
Leave it a few minutes...starts. Turn it off...nothing. Leave it a few more minutes...nothing.
So...took the alternator in for testing...perfectly fine.
Which brings us to the present moment.
Any ideas?
Poor connection in ignition?
Starter motor?
Started the 3500 for the first time in about 7 years last week...thanks to some of the replies to my earlier posts.
Just have a slight problem...it cant be relied upon to always start.
The situation is as follows...new battery, and fuel pump reconnected (under bonnet for the present moment).
When the car first started, the first minute or so it sounded quite sick until the tappets filled with oil, and it got into it's stride.
Then it was perfect...30 psi oil pressure, smooth and quiet.
However, without warning, it just seems to go to running on what sounds like 7 cylinders...rough and no throttle response.
If i turn the ignition it starts as usual and is smooth again for about 10 seconds before it repeats the rough running.
If I let it "idle" , it will eventually (about 30 secs) splutter to a halt, with the "ignition" light showing up as it loses its ability to maintain idle (not unusual).
I started it a few more times and had this process happen again and again. I then tested the lights and it died down quicker than usual. With the lights still on, it went completely dead and would not even crank...nothing. (lights still on and interior light still on). OK...i left it for a day or two. When I returned to it, it started first go, but still did its usual no idle/rough running trick. I deliberately stayed right away from the lights, and anything that would put load on it. However, after turning it off, and then trying to restart it...nothing.
Leave it a few minutes...starts. Turn it off...nothing. Leave it a few more minutes...nothing.
So...took the alternator in for testing...perfectly fine.
Which brings us to the present moment.
Any ideas?
Poor connection in ignition?
Starter motor?